Holiday races

Holiday road, trail races aplenty across NH

David MacPherson of Hooksett runs in the Fisher Cats’ Thanksgiving 5K race at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester last year. The race will run again this year. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)

From a sports standpoint, Thanksgiving isn’t just about football. Road and trail races are also on the menu today and Thursday, when 17 events will be held throughout the state.

Things will get moving this afternoon in Newton, where the Turkey Trot 5K is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K in Manchester will likely draw the biggest field of the 16 races that will follow on Thursday. This is the event’s third year, and last year’s race included 2,272 official finishers. It has grown into one of the largest Thanksgiving races in New England.

The Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K will start outside the right field fence at Manchester’s Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, and will finish inside the stadium near third base. Race-day registration will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., and the race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

The 40th Annual Greater Derry Turkey Trot 5K is the state’s oldest Thanksgiving Day race. This course takes you around the scenic residential roads of Beaver Lake.

Registration will take place at Gallien’s Beach in Derry from 4 to 8 p.m. today, and from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The race is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

Parking will be available at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, and there will be bus transportation from the school parking lot to the race site from 7 to 11 a.m.

Thanksgiving races

With Thanksgiving-themed road or trail footraces scheduled in 17 communities — one Wednesday afternoon, the rest Thursday morning, you don’t have to travel far to earn your bird.

Wednesday

Newton: Turkey Trot 5K, 3 p.m., The Hen House Bar & Grill, 85 South Main St.